
CBS News reports that Kim Potter, the former Brooklyn Center police officer who shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright, will be charged with second-degree manslaughter.
Potter, a 26-year veteran who killed Wright, 20, resigned on Tuesday, along with the city’s police chief, officials said.
Wright’s killing has sparked nights of protests and more than 60 arrests were made overnight following clashes with law enforcement, CBS Minnesota reported.
On Monday, Police Chief Tim Gannon said Potter meant to use her Taser but instead grabbed her gun. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the fatal shooting.
Potter was reportedly taken into custody this morning at 11:30 a.m.
The charge of second-degree manslaughter has a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Many have questioned how a 26-year veteran police officer could confuse a gun and a taser which, according to reports, feel, look, and weigh very differently.
“Tasers are often produced in bright colors, or with neon accents, to distinguish them from pistols,” reports the New York Times. “The Brooklyn Center Police Department manual cites the Glock 17, 19 and 26 as standard-issue for the department. All three pistol models weigh significantly more than a typical Taser.”
Agents with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) this morning arrested a former a Brooklyn Center police officer for the April 11 shooting death of Daunte Wright. Agents took Kim Potter into custody at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the BCA in St. Paul.
— Minnesota BCA (@MnDPS_BCA) April 14, 2021
BREAKING: Officer Kim Potter will be charged with 2nd degree manslaughter for the killing of #DaunteWright ! Maximum penalty is 10 years and/or fine!
— Laura Coates (@thelauracoates) April 14, 2021
There is no way #KimPotter, Police Union President & 26 yrs of experience, confused a gun & taser—
•guns & tasers are worn on opposite sides
•major differences in weight, color, & feel
•gun pointed at #DuanteWright far too long before she pulled the trigger to be a “mistake” pic.twitter.com/FLxcNDxiPd— The Left is Coming ⚖️✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼⚖️ (@TheLeftIsComing) April 13, 2021